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Pollinator Pal Toolkit
Pollinator Conservation—Become a Pollinator Pal!
More than two-thirds of crop plants and over 85% of flowering plants worldwide are dependent on the services of pollinators. Today both introduced and native pollinator populations are in decline as a result of disappearance of habitat, increased pesticide use and disease. The good news is there are exciting ways to help pollinator populations bounce back through establishment of additional habitat, strategic land use management and best management practices for pesticide applications. Join us in our work to promote Pierce County pollinator populations in both rural and urban settings. If you like food and a beautiful landscape, then you like pollinators! Help pollinators help you, and be a pollinator pal! How can you help pollinators? See below for great technical guides and links for establishing pollinator habitat, managing pesticides and connecting to regional pollinator initiatives.
Habitat Establishment
Pollinator populations need plentiful habitat. Providing pollinators with a variety of native flowering wildflowers, trees and shrubs that bloom successively during the year is key. Strategically adding corridors and pockets of habitat into urban and agricultural landscapes provide consistent food and shelter resources. Unique nesting and shelter habitat needs of pollinators can be accommodated by managing yard debris or field and lawn borders with pollinators in mind.
- The Native Pollinator Habitat Restoration Guide - Earthcorps' complete guide to pollinator habitat site assessment and design, includes extensive plant lists
- Farming for the Bees - The Xerces Society's guidelines for providing native bee habitat on farms
- Xerces Society Habitat Assessment Guide for Pollinators – Farms and Agricultural Landscapes - a tool to help incorporate pollinator conservation into a farm management plan and document improvements
- Xerces Society Habitat Assessment Guide for Pollinators in Yards, Gardens and Parks - a tool for evaluating pollinator habitat in urban settings and identifying areas for improvement
- Nesting and Overwintering Habitat for Pollinators and Other Beneficial Insects - a guide to preserving primary habitat features used by pollinators when managing your rural or urban landscape
- King County Native Plant Landscape Guide - create a native plant landscape for pollinators with this site's plants lists and photos, landscaping plans, and a tool to start your own plant list for your project
Native plant nurseries-- local resources for your plant material
- Eatonville Nursery and Greenhouse
- Northwest Meadowscapes
- Pierce Conservation District Plant Sale
- Storm Lake Growers
- Watershed Garden Works
- Woodbrook Native Plant Nursery
Access financial assistance for your pollinator habitat project
- Visit the PCD farm improvement financial assistance page to learn about opportunities to assist you with your pollinator habitat project!
Pesticide Management
Simple and strategic adjustments to pesticide choice and timing can make a big difference to pollinator survival and health.
- Xerxes Society - Understanding Pesticides
- Protecting Pollinators at Home
- How to Reduce Bee Poisoning from Pesticides
Become a Citizen Scientist
Pollinator population monitoring and tracking efforts are enlisting the help of the general public! Become a native pollinator ID nerd and help document pollinator population dynamics that will inform strategies for conservation.
- A Citizen Science Guide to Wild Bees and Floral Visitors in Western Washington
- PNW Bumble Bee Atlas Project
- Insight Citizen Science: Use the mobile app created by Border Free Bees that allows citizens to record pollinator observations using their smart phones.